Methods and Network Nodes for Managing Transmission of at Least One Channel Quality Report

ABSTRACT

A radio network node (110) and a method therein for managing transmission of at least one channel quality report and a user equipment (120) a method therein for handling transmission of at least one channel quality report are disclosed. The radio network node (110) sends, to the user equipment (120), a first message comprising information about at least one resource for use by the user equipment (120) when transmitting the at least one channel quality report. The radio network node (110) sends, to the user equipment (120), a second message for activating, in the user equipment (120), the transmission of the at least one channel quality report. The radio network node (110) receives, from the user equipment (120), a first channel quality report of the at least one channel quality report. The first channel quality report is received on the at least one resource on an uplink control channel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to the field of telecommunications. Inparticular, a radio network node and a method therein for managingtransmission of at least one channel quality report as well as a userequipment and a method therein for handling transmission of at least onechannel quality report are disclosed.

BACKGROUND

With an increased number of smartphones in cellular communicationnetworks, mobile network operators are confronted with variouschallenges. One challenge relates to how to provide an always-on-lineexperience for a very large number of smartphones, or in fact any typeof user equipment.

As mentioned, the smartphone usage requires always-on-line experiencefor end users similar to PC-type programs. The always-on experienceimplies short reaction time for data arrival and data transmission.Therefore, one way to obtain this would be to maintain all smartphoneusers in RRC_CONNECTED state. The RRC_CONNECTED state is known fromThird Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) terminology and relates toLong Term Evolution (LTE) systems. However, maintaining all smartphonesin RRC_CONNECTED state may suffer from disadvantages such as that thesmartphones would consume most periodic resources on Physical UplinkControl Channel (PUCCH). The number of smartphones may be very large,for example up to 65 536 smartphones as allowed by the Cell-RadioNetwork Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) having 16 bits. With such largenumber of smartphones, the periodic resources on PUCCH will not suffice.However, most of the periodic resources are actually not used, becausethe always-on traffic only create chatty-like small packet in most ofthe time, e.g., background traffic, but not always continuous trafficflow, e.g., FTP traffic. A scenario like this is referred to asenhancement for Diverse Data Applications (eDDA) within 3GPP.

As an example, the periodic resources on PUCCH are consumed by a channelQuality Indicator (CQI) in a known LTE system. The CQI is reportedperiodically as configured by a base station. The CQI is for exampleused as input to channel adaptation in the base station. Channeladaptation relates to how for example modulation and coding schemes(MCS) are set in relation to quality of a channel.

A user equipment (UE) can be configured by Radio Resource Control (RRC)signaling to transmit CQI periodically on a specific PUCCH resource. Thespecific PUCCH resource has been configured by RRC signaling.

Back to the eDDA scenario, a problem is how to obtain CQI information inan efficient and flexible manner.

On one hand, if periodic CQI is enabled, the consumed amount of PUCCHresources would be large. Since most of the CQI information is notactually used, a disadvantage is that the CQI information often isunnecessary.

On the other hand, if periodic CQI is disabled, the downlink data flowcan only use conservative modulation and coding schemes orre-transmission to match a desired transmission performance, since notenough CQI information is available to the base station.

In order to overcome this problem, a-periodic CQI reporting is alsodefined for 3GPP LTE systems. Specifically, a bit in an uplink grant maytrigger a user equipment to transmit a channel quality report on aPhysical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The channel quality report maybe transmitted together with a data transmission or without a datatransmission on PUSCH. A-periodic reporting of CQI is controlled by thebase station, such as an eNodeB. In this manner, the CQI reports aresent when the uplink grant indicates that the user equipment shall sendCQI information on PUSCH.

In order to save periodic CQI resources on PUCCH when a-periodic CQI onPUSCH is activated, a proposal suggests that the periodic CQItransmission is prohibited when a-periodic CQI on PUSCH is activated.Specifically, the transmission of periodic CQI report is cancelledduring a predetermined time, when the user equipment has received arequest for CQI on PUSCH from the base station. Thus, the user equipmentmakes sure that no periodic CQI is sent on PUCCH during thepredetermined time if an uplink grant indicates that the user equipmentshall send CQI information on PUSCH.

From the above, the CQI reporting mechanism can be said to be dividedinto two types, i.e. periodic CQI on PUCCH and a-periodic PUSCH.

Under the scenario of eDDA, as is analyzed above, periodic CQI on PUCCHis not resource efficient enough to support the large number ofalways-on traffic, which occurs due to the usage of smartphones.

A-periodic CQI on PUSCH has disadvantages as well. Specifically, CQIinformation has to be sent by UE every time there is downlink dataarrival at the user equipment. This is efficient when there is uplinkdata to be sent on PUSCH together with the CQI information to the basestation. However, when there is no uplink data transmission, i.e.,uni-directional downlink traffic, one uplink resource block containingonly CQI information is not resource efficient.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object is to provide a more efficient and flexible methodfor managing transmission of channel quality reports, such as CQIinformation mentioned above.

According to an aspect, the object is achieved by a method in a radionetwork node for managing transmission of at least one channel qualityreport from a user equipment. The radio network node sends a firstmessage to the user equipment. The first message comprises informationabout at least one resource for use by the user equipment whentransmitting the at least one channel quality report. Then, the radionetwork node sends, to the user equipment, a second message foractivating, in the user equipment, the transmission of the at least onechannel quality report. Furthermore, the radio network node receives,from the user equipment, a first channel quality report of the at leastone channel quality report. The first channel quality report is receivedon the at least one resource on an uplink control channel.

According to another aspect, the object is achieved by a radio networknode configured to manage transmission of at least one channel qualityreport from a user equipment, wherein the radio network node comprises aprocessing circuit configured to send, to the user equipment, a firstmessage comprising information about at least one resource for use bythe user equipment when transmitting the at least one channel qualityreport. Furthermore, the processing circuit is configured to send, tothe user equipment, a second message for activating, in the userequipment, the transmission of the at least one channel quality report.Moreover, the processing circuit is configured to receive, from the userequipment, a first channel quality report of the at least one channelquality report. The first channel quality report is received on the atleast one resource on an uplink control channel.

According to a further aspect, the object is achieved by a method in auser equipment for handling transmission of at least one channel qualityreport from the user equipment to a radio network node. The userequipment receives a first message from the radio network node. Thefirst message comprises information about at least one resource for useby the user equipment when transmitting the at least one channel qualityreport. Next, the user equipment receives, from the radio network node,a second message for activating, in the user equipment, the transmissionof the at least one channel quality report. Furthermore, the userequipment sends, to the radio network node, a first channel qualityreport of the at least one channel quality report. The first channelquality report is received on the at least one resource on an uplinkcontrol channel.

According to yet another aspect, the object is achieved by a userequipment configured to handle transmission of at least one channelquality report from the user equipment to a radio network node. The userequipment comprises a processing circuit configured to receive a firstmessage from the radio network node. The first message comprisesinformation about at least one resource for use by the user equipmentwhen transmitting the at least one channel quality report. Moreover, theprocessing circuit is configured to receive, from the radio networknode, a second message for activating, in the user equipment, thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report. Furthermore,the processing circuit is configured to send, to the radio network node,a first channel quality report of the at least one channel qualityreport. The first channel quality report is received on the at least oneresource on an uplink control channel.

According to embodiments herein, the radio network node sends the secondmessage to the user equipment in order to manage, i.e. enable or disablethe transmission of the at least one channel quality report. The secondmessage, which activates/deactivates the transmission may be implementedas a new downlink control information format, a new medium accesscontrol (MAC) control element or a combination thereof. In this manner,resources of the control channel are temporarily occupied as determinedby the second message which is sent by the radio network node.Therefore, the radio network node may flexibly manage the transmissionof the at least one channel quality report by means of the secondmessage. Moreover, the radio network node efficiently manages thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report since the radionetwork node may instruct, by means of the second message, the userequipment to send the at least one channel quality report only whenneeded. As a result, flexible and efficient management of thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report is obtained.

An advantage is that the embodiment herein follows the existingarchitecture of 3GPP LTE network, i.e. backward compatibility isenabled.

A further advantage is that the embodiments herein provides a solutionwhich saves the PUCCH resources in case of the eDDA scenario describedabove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of embodiments disclosed herein, includingparticular features and advantages thereof, will be readily understoodfrom the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic overview illustrating embodiments in anexemplifying radio communications system,

FIG. 2 is a schematic, combined signaling scheme and flowchartillustrating embodiments in the radio communication system according toFIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is an illustration of periodic CQI on PUCCH as implemented in anLTE system according to prior art,

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a-periodic CQI on PUSCH as implemented inan LTE system according to prior art,

FIG. 5 is an illustration of CQI transmission on PUCCH while using a DCIformat to trigger transmission of the CQI report,

FIG. 6 is an illustration of CQI transmission on PUCCH while using a MACCE to trigger transmission of the CQI report,

FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart illustrating the methods of FIG. 2 whenseen from the radio network node,

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplifying radionetwork node configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 2and/or 7,

FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart illustrating the methods of FIG. 2 whenseen from the user equipment, and

FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplifying userequipment configured to perform the methods illustrated in FIG. 2 and/or9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout the following description similar reference numerals havebeen used to denote similar elements, network nodes, parts, items orfeatures, when applicable. In the Figures, features that appear in someembodiments are indicated by dashed lines.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic overview of an exemplifying radio communicationsystem 100, such as a LTE system, an LTE-Advanced system, a radiocommunication system evolved from an LTE system, a WiMax system or thelike.

The radio communication system 100 comprises a radio network node 110,such as an evolved Node B, eNB, a control node controlling one or moreRemote Radio Units (RRUs), a radio base station, an access point or thelike.

Furthermore, a user equipment 120 is located in the vicinity of theradio network node 110. The user equipment 120 may send 130 channelquality reports, such as CQI reports known from 3GPP terminology, to theradio network node 110. The channel quality reports may be sentperiodically or a-periodically on an uplink control channel, such asPUCCH.

The user equipment 120 may be a mobile phone, a cellular phone, aPersonal Digital Assistant (PDA) equipped with radio communicationcapabilities, a smartphone, a laptop or personal computer (PC) equippedwith an internal or external mobile broadband modem, a tablet PC, aportable electronic radio communication device, a sensor device equippedwith radio communication capabilities or the like. The sensor may be anykind of weather sensor, such as wind, temperature, air pressure,humidity etc. As further examples, the sensor may be a light sensor, anelectronic switch, a microphone, a loudspeaker, a camera sensor etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplifying method for managing transmission ofat least one channel quality report when implemented in the radiocommunication system 100 of FIG. 1. The radio network node 110 performsa method for managing transmission of the at least one channel qualityreport from the user equipment 120. The user equipment 120 performs amethod for managing transmission of the at least one channel qualityreport.

A first message is used for configuring the user equipment 120 totransmit the at least one channel quality report. See action 202.

A second message is used for activating or de-activating thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report. The secondmessage may be implemented as a downlink control information (DCI)message or as a Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) message.

Moreover, the transmission of channel quality reports refers to periodicor a-periodic transmission of channel quality reports.

Thus, four different embodiments according to the following will bereferred to when describing FIG. 2.

According to a first set of embodiments, the transmission of channelquality reports refers to periodic transmission of channel qualityreports and the second message is implemented as a DCI message.

According to a second set of embodiments, the transmission of channelquality reports refers to periodic transmission of channel qualityreports and the second message is implemented as a MAC CE message.

According to a third set of embodiments, the transmission of channelquality reports refers to a-periodic transmission of channel qualityreports and the second message is implemented as a DCI message.

According to a fourth set of embodiments, the transmission of channelquality reports refers to a-periodic transmission of channel qualityreports and the second message is implemented as a MAC CE message.

The following actions may be performed in any suitable order.

Action 201

In order to the radio network node 110 to be aware of functionality inthe user equipment 120, the radio network node 110 may receive, from theuser equipment 120, a capability message for indicating the userequipment's 120 capability relating to transmission of the at least onechannel quality report.

In the first and second sets of embodiments, the capability messageindicates that the user equipment 120 is capable of managing, i.e.enable or disable, the transmission of periodic channel quality reports.

In the third and fourth sets of embodiments, the capability messageindicates that the user equipment 120 is capable of managing, i.e.enable or disable, the transmission of a-periodic channel qualityreports.

In the first and third sets of embodiments, the capability messageindicates that the user equipment 120 is capable of receiving a DCImessage for managing the transmission of channel quality reports. Thisapplies to both periodic and a-periodic channel quality reports.

In the second and fourth sets of embodiments, the capability messageindicates that the user equipment 120 is capable of receiving a MAC CEmessage for managing the transmission of channel quality reports. Thisapplies to both periodic and a-periodic channel quality reports.

The capability message may be an RRC message in a formatUECapabilityInformation which is known from 3GPP terminology. TheUECapabilityInformation may be modified to include information as givenabove for the capability message according to the first to fourth setsof embodiments.

Action 202

The radio network node 110 sends a first message to the user equipment120.

In this manner, the user equipment 120 is configured with informationabout how to transmit the at least one channel quality report. The firstmessage comprises information about at least one resource for use by theuser equipment 120 when transmitting the at least one channel qualityreport. The first message may be a modified information element (IE)according to CQI-ReportConfig defined in 3GPP for LTE networks.

In more detail, as soon as RRC connection with the radio communicationsystem 100 is completed, physical layer configuration parameters is sentto the UE. The physical layer parameters include the CQI resourceconfiguration on PUCCH, e.g., the IE of CQI-ReportConfig defined in 3GPPLTE networks.

In some examples, the first message solely configures the user equipment120 with the information, i.e. the first message do not activate thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report. In otherexamples, a separate field in the first message indicates whether or notto start transmission once configuration is completed. If the separatedfield indicates that transmission is disabled, the transmission of theat least one channel quality report may not occur until the secondmessage is received as described in action 204.

The at least one resource may indicate subframes allocated to periodictransmission of the at least one channel quality report or a resourceblock index for the uplink control channel.

As an example, according to the first and second sets of embodiments,the at least one resource indicates subframes allocated to, ordesignated for, periodic transmission. In this manner, a CQI period isdefined thanks to that the indicated subframes are repeated in eachradio frame. The CQI period indicates how often a channel quality reportshall be sent to the radio network node 110 in case of periodictransmission of channel quality reports. According to 3GPP terminology,a radio frame, having a duration of 10 milliseconds, comprises 10subframes.

As another example, according to the third and fourth sets ofembodiments, the at least one resource indicates the resource blockindex for the uplink control channel. Thus, when the user equipment 120is instructed, by the second message, to send an a-periodic channelquality report to the radio network node 110, the user equipment 120allocates the channel quality report, on the uplink control channel, tothe resource block indicated by the resource block index.

According to the first and second sets of embodiments, a secondindication specifies a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated. The second indication may be comprised in thefirst message. In this manner, the time period during which the periodictransmission may be set by the radio network node 110. Thus, the radionetwork node 110 need not explicitly disable the transmission of the atleast one channel quality report as in for example action 207.

Action 203

According to the first and second sets of embodiments, the radio networknode 110 may detect non-existence of scheduled uplink (UL) transmissionin a first subframe of the subframes. Non-existence of scheduled uplinktransmission refers to that the radio network node 110 has not scheduledany uplink data to be transmitted by the user equipment 120 to the radionetwork node 110 in the first subframe. Then, action 204 below may beperformed only in response to the detecting of non-existing scheduleduplink transmission.

In this manner, periodic PUCCH is used when no uplink data is present.Thereby, waste of PUSCH resources is avoided in case a-periodictransmission of the at least one channel quality report would betransmitted in PUSCH as in prior art.

Action 204

In order for the radio network node 110 to manage, i.e. enable ordisable, transmission of the at least one channel quality report, theradio network node 110 sends a second message to the user equipment 120.The second message is used for activating, in the user equipment 120,the transmission of the at least one channel quality report.

As mentioned above, the second message may be implemented as a downlinkcontrol information (DCI) message or as a Medium Access Control ControlElement (MAC CE) message. As an example, the second message comprisesDCI configured to indicate activation of periodic or a-periodictransmission of the at least one channel quality report. Alternatively,the second message comprises a MAC CE configured to indicate activationof periodic or a-periodic transmission of the at least one channelquality report.

In some embodiments, the second message may comprise a first indicationfor activating periodic or a-periodic transmission of the at least onechannel quality report.

According to the first and third set of embodiments, the DCI message isdesignated to activate, or trigger, transmission of the at least onechannel quality report. The at least one channel quality report is sentaccording to information in the first messages, i.e. as configuredduring action 202. For example, the at least one channel quality reportis sent on uplink control channel locations, such as subframes orresource block index, as configured in action 202. As an example, theDCI message may be in the form of a new DCI format including the firstindication.

According to the second and fourth set of embodiments, the MAC CEmessage is designated to activate, or trigger, transmission of the atleast one channel quality report. As mentioned, the at least one channelquality report is sent according to information in the first messages,i.e. as configured during action 202. For example, the at least onechannel quality report is sent on uplink control channel locations, suchas subframes or resource block index, as configured in action 202. As anexample, the MAC CE message may be in the form of a new MAC CE formatincluding the first indication. In order to full exploit the downlinkresource block used for carrying the MAC CE message, the MAC CE messagemay be sent along with some downlink data.

According to the first and second sets of embodiments, a secondindication specifies a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated, or enabled. The second indication may becomprised in the second message. In this manner, the time period, duringwhich the periodic transmission may be enabled, may be set by the radionetwork node 110. Thus, as mentioned, the radio network node 110 neednot explicitly disable, or de-activate, the transmission of the at leastone channel quality report as in for example action 207.

Action 205

When the transmission of the at least one channel quality report hasbeen activated in action 204, the radio network node 110 receives afirst channel quality report of the at least one channel quality reportfrom the user equipment 120. The first channel quality report isreceived on the at least one resource on an uplink control channel. Theat least one resource may have been configured in action 202.

In case of uni-directional downlink transmission, waste of PUSCHresources is avoided thanks to the use of the uplink control channel forsending the at least one channel quality report.

Only those user equipments that are required to send a channel qualityreport on the uplink control channel, e.g. PUCCH, sends the firstchannel quality report as indicated by the second message. Therefore, incase of periodic transmission with a large number of active userequipments connected to the radio network node, limitations in number ofpossible channel quality reports due to limited uplink control channelresources, such as PUCCH resources, are avoided.

With reference to action 206-208 below, it may be beneficial tode-activate periodic transmission of CQI reports on PUCCH duringspecific conditions. For example, a-periodic CQI on PUSCH is beneficialwhen the a-periodic CQI report is sent together with other data onPUSCH.

Action 206

In order to identify the specific conditions, the radio network node 110may detect existence of scheduled uplink transmission in a secondsubframe of the subframes. That is to say, the specific condition isthat there has been scheduled uplink transmission in the second subframein which also a periodic CQI report is configured to be transmitted.This means that the second subframe coincides with configured periodictransmission of CQI. When the specific condition is fulfilled, action207 may be performed.

Action 207

Again, this action may be performed in response to the detection inaction 206.

The radio network node 110 may send a third message to the userequipment 120. The third message is indicative of de-activation, in theuser equipment 120, of the periodic transmission of the channel qualityreports. As an example, the user equipment 120 may in response to thethird message cancel any pending periodic transmissions of channelquality reports on PUCCH. Then, the user equipment 120 may activatetransmissions of channel quality reports on PUSCH.

The third message may be a DCI message or a MAC CE message similarly tothe second message as explained above.

Action 208

The radio network node 110 may receive a second channel quality reportof the at least one channel quality report from the user equipment 120.The second channel quality report may be received in the second subframeon an uplink shared channel. Hence, in this manner a-periodic CQIreporting on PUSCH is activated when there is uplink data scheduled tothe second subframe in which periodic reporting on PUCCH would occuraccording to configuration in action 202. CQI reporting refers to thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report.

In the embodiments described above, the CQI reporting on PUCCH may bedisabled when there is no downlink (DL) data arrival, in order to savePUCCH resources. The CQI reporting may be activated by the downlinkcontrol information in physical layer, e.g. DCI defined in 3GPP LTEsystem, when it is necessary

In FIGS. 3-4, transmission of CQI reports in a LTE system according toprior art is shown.

FIG. 3 shows periodic CQI reporting on PUCCH according to prior art.

FIG. 4 shows a-periodic CQI reporting on PUSCH according to prior art.

FIG. 5 shows the first set of embodiments in which a DCI message is usedto trigger the transmission of the channel quality report. Specifically,before or at the same time of a first DL data transmission, the DCI issent to trigger the CQI reporting on PUCCH. In this way, the periodicCQI resources on PUCCH, which should have been occupied by a single UEaccording to the current LTE protocol, can be improved to be reused bymultiple UEs in a more efficient manner.

FIG. 6 shows the second set of embodiments in which a MAC CE on PhysicalDownlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) is used to trigger the transmission ofthe channel quality report. In this embodiment, the CQI reporting onPUCCH would be disabled when there is no DL data arrival, in order tosave the limited PUCCH resources, but would be activated by the downlinkcontrol element in MAC layer, e.g., MAC CE (Control Element) defined in3GPP LTE system, when it is necessary. Specifically, along with thefirst TB of DL data transmission, the MAC CE is sent to trigger the CQIreporting in PUCCH. In this way, the periodic CQI resources on PUCCH,which should have been occupied by a single UE according to the currentLTE protocol, can be improved to be reused by multiple UEs in a moreefficient manner.

The DCI message used to activate CQI reporting may be implemented indifferent ways.

As a first example, a new DCI format may be defined besides the existingDCI format. This may cause modifications to the current standard, butprovide more feasibility, e.g., the time period may be defined and theCQI reporting may be triggered for a set of UEs.

As a second example, an existing DCI format may be utilized. This wouldcause little or no modifications to the current standard. A possiblesolution in the 3GPP LTE scenario is to use DCI format 1A, which is usedby all DL transmission modes. Specifically, a combination of New DataIndication (NDI) field is toggled and redundancy version field equal to1 can be used to indicate that the CQI report is to be transmitted.Similarly, a combination of that the NDI field is toggled and that theredundancy version field is equal to zero, can be used to indicated thatno CQI report is to be transmitted.

Similarly, the MAC CE message may be implemented in different ways.

As a first example, a new format of MAC CE may be defined more easilycompared to a new DCI format. E.g., more reserved fields in logicalchannel ID (LCID) in LTE may be used.

A combination of DCI message and MAC CE message may also be implemented.Implementing the second message as a DCI message is more resourceefficient than using a MAC CE message. Yet, a MAC CE message isbeneficial in that PDCCH resources are saved.

The deactivation of periodic CQI reporting may be implemented indifferent ways.

As a first example, event triggered, i.e. a further DCI message may beused to indicate the end of CQI reporting.

As a second example, time triggered, i.e. the DCI message used toactivate the CQI reporting comprises the time period mentioned above,The time period defines the duration of the CQI reporting. In thismanner, the reporting would be ended automatically when the time periodhas expired. The time period may be decided based on the downlink datatraffic type. In further examples, a combination of the first and secondexample may be implemented.

A combination of these two examples may also be used.

Similarly, there are two types of deactivation of periodic CQI reportingwhen MAC CE is used. Similarly to the above, there are event triggeredand time triggered schemes. Furthermore, with the MAC CE message it iseasier to include more specific fields to explore the functionality ofCQI reporting command. For example, some parameters of the firstmessage, which is used for CQI resource configuration in action 202, maybe overridden by the MAC CE message. The parameters than may be overrideinclude for example the time period and the resource block index.

In FIG. 7, an exemplifying, schematic flowchart of the methods of FIG. 2when seen from the radio network node 110 is shown. As mentioned, theradio network node 110 performs a method for managing transmission of atleast one channel quality report from a user equipment 120.

Again, the second message may comprise a first indication for activatingperiodic or a-periodic transmission of the at least one channel qualityreport. Then, the second message may comprise downlink controlinformation which comprises the first indication, or a medium accesscontrol element, “MAC CE”, which comprises the first indication. The atleast one resource indicates subframes allocated to periodictransmission of the at least one channel quality report, or a resourceblock index for the uplink control channel. Also mentioned, a secondindication may specify a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated. The second indication may be comprised in thefirst message or the second message.

The following actions may be performed in any suitable order.

Action 701

The radio network node 110 may receive, from the user equipment 120, acapability message for indicating the user equipment's 120 capabilityrelating to transmission of the at least one channel quality report.This action is similar to action 201.

Action 702

The radio network node 110 sends, to the user equipment 120, a firstmessage comprising information about at least one resource for use bythe user equipment 120 when transmitting the at least one channelquality report. This action is similar to action 202.

Action 703

The radio network node 110 may detect non-existence of scheduled uplinktransmission in a first subframe of the subframes, wherein the sending204 of the second message is performed only in response to the detecting203 of non-existing scheduled uplink transmission. This action issimilar to action 203.

Action 704

The radio network node 110 sends, to the user equipment 120, a secondmessage for activating, in the user equipment 120, the transmission ofthe at least one channel quality report. This action is similar toaction 204.

Action 705

The radio network node 110 receives, from the user equipment 120, afirst channel quality report of the at least one channel quality report.The first channel quality report is received on the at least oneresource on an uplink control channel. This action is similar to action205.

Action 706

The radio network node 110 may detect existence of scheduled uplinktransmission in a second subframe of the subframes. This action issimilar to action 208.

Action 707

The radio network node 110 may send, to the user equipment 120, a thirdmessage for de-activating in the user equipment 120 the periodictransmission of the channel quality reports. This action is similar toaction 207.

Action 708

The radio network node 110 may receive, from the user equipment 120, asecond channel quality report of the at least one channel qualityreport, wherein the second channel quality report is received in thesecond subframe on an uplink shared channel. This action is similar toaction 208.

With reference to FIG. 8, a schematic block diagram of the radio networknode 110 is shown. The radio network node 110 is configured to performthe methods in FIG. 2 and/or 7. Thus, the radio network node 110 isconfigured to manage transmission of at least one channel quality reportfrom a user equipment 120.

As mentioned, the second message may comprise a first indication foractivating periodic or a-periodic transmission of the channel qualityreports. The second message may comprise downlink control information,which comprises the first indication or the second message comprises amedium access control element, “MAC CE”, which comprises the firstindication. The at least one resource may indicate subframes allocatedto periodic transmission of the at least one channel quality report, ora resource block index for the uplink control channel. The secondindication may specify a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated. The second indication may be comprised in thefirst message or the second message.

The radio network node 110 comprises a processing circuit 810 configuredto send, to the user equipment 120, a first message comprisinginformation about at least one resource for use by the user equipment120 when transmitting the at least one channel quality report. Moreover,the processing circuit is configured to send, to the user equipment 120,a second message for activating, in the user equipment 120, thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report. Additionally,the processing circuit 810 is configured to receive, from the userequipment 120, a first channel quality report of the at least onechannel quality report, wherein the first channel quality report isreceived on the at least one resource on an uplink control channel.

The processing circuit 810 may further be configured to detectnon-existence of scheduled uplink transmission in a first subframe ofthe subframes. The processing circuit 810 may further be configured tosend the second message only in response to the detection ofnon-existing scheduled uplink transmission.

The processing circuit 810 may further be configured to: detectexistence of scheduled uplink transmission in a second subframe of thesubframes; send, to the user equipment 120, a third message forde-activating in the user equipment 120 the periodic transmission of thechannel quality reports; and receive, from the user equipment 120, asecond channel quality report of the at least one channel qualityreport, wherein the second channel quality report is received in thesecond subframe on an uplink shared channel.

The processing circuit 810 may further be configured to receive, fromthe user equipment 120, a capability message for indicating the userequipment's 120 capability relating to transmission of the at least onechannel quality report.

The processing circuit 810 may be a processing unit, a processor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmablegate array (FPGA) or the like. As an example, a processor, an ASIC, anFPGA or the like may comprise one or more processor kernels.

The radio network node 110 further comprises a receiver 820, which maybe configured to receive information, such as the at least one channelquality report, the first channel quality report, the second channelquality report and/or the like as described herein. The configuration ofthe receiver may be controlled by the processing circuit 810.

The radio network node 110 further comprises a transmitter 830, whichmay be configured to transmit information, such as the first message,the second message, the third message and/or the like as describedherein. The configuration of the transmitter may be controlled by theprocessing circuit 810.

The radio network node 110 further comprises a memory 840 for storingsoftware to be executed by, for example, the processing circuit. Thesoftware may comprise instructions to enable the processing circuit toperform the method in the radio network node 110 as described above inconjunction with FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 7.

Moreover, the memory 840 may be used for storing information, such asthe first message, the second message, the third message, the channelquality reports and/or the like as described herein.

The memory 840 may be a hard disk, a magnetic storage medium, a portablecomputer diskette or disc, flash memory, random access memory (RAM) orthe like. Furthermore, the memory may be an internal register memory ofa processor.

In FIG. 9, an exemplifying, schematic flowchart of the methods of FIG. 2when seen from the user equipment 120 is shown. As mentioned, the userequipment 120 performs a method for handling transmission of at leastone channel quality report from the user equipment 120 to the radionetwork node 110.

Again, the second message may comprise a first indication for activatingperiodic or a-periodic transmission of the channel quality reports,wherein the second message may comprise downlink control information,which comprises the first indication; or the second message may comprisea medium access control element, “MAC CE”, which comprises the firstindication. The at least one resource may indicate subframes allocatedto periodic transmission of the at least one channel quality report, ora resource block index for the uplink control channel. The secondindication may specify a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated. The second indication may be comprised in thefirst message or the second message.

The following actions may be performed in any suitable order.

Action 901

The user equipment 120 may send, to the radio network node 110, acapability message for indicating the user equipment's 120 capabilityrelating to transmission of the at least one channel quality report.This action is similar to action 201.

Action 902

The user equipment 120 receives, from the radio network node 110, afirst message comprising information about at least one resource for useby the user equipment 120 when transmitting the at least one channelquality report. This action is similar to action 202.

Action 903

The user equipment 120 receives, from the radio network node 110, asecond message for activating, in the user equipment 120, thetransmission of the at least one channel quality report. This action issimilar to action 204.

Action 904

The user equipment 120 sends, to the radio network node 110, a firstchannel quality report of the at least one channel quality report,wherein the first channel quality report is received on the at least oneresource on an uplink control channel. This action is similar to action205.

Action 905

The user equipment 120 may receive, from the radio network node 110, athird message for de-activating in the user equipment 120 the periodictransmission of the channel quality reports. This action is similar toaction 207.

Action 906

The user equipment 120 may send, to the radio network node 110, a secondchannel quality report of the at least one channel quality report,wherein the second channel quality report is received in the secondsubframe on an uplink shared channel. This action is similar to action208.

With reference to FIG. 10, a schematic block diagram of the userequipment 120 is shown. The user equipment 120 is configured to performthe methods in FIG. 2 and/or 9. Thus, the user equipment 120 isconfigured to handle transmission of at least one channel quality reportfrom the user equipment 120 to the radio network node 110

As mentioned, the second message may comprise a first indication foractivating periodic or a-periodic transmission of the channel qualityreports, wherein: the second message comprises downlink controlinformation, which comprises the first indication; or the second messagecomprises a medium access control element, “MAC CE”, which comprises thefirst indication. The at least one resource may indicate subframesallocated to periodic transmission of the at least one channel qualityreport, or a resource block index for the uplink control channel. Thesecond indication may specify a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated. The second indication may be comprised in thefirst message or the second message.

The user equipment 120 comprises a processing circuit 1010 configured toreceive, from the radio network node 110, a first message comprisinginformation about at least one resource for use by the user equipment120 when transmitting the at least one channel quality report.Furthermore, the processing circuit 1010 is configured to receive, fromthe radio network node 110, a second message for activating, in the userequipment 120, the transmission of the at least one channel qualityreport. Moreover, the processing circuit 1010 is configured to send, tothe radio network node 110, a first channel quality report of the atleast one channel quality report, wherein the first channel qualityreport is received on the at least one resource on an uplink controlchannel.

The processing circuit 1010 may further be configured to receive, fromthe radio network node 110, a third message for de-activating in theuser equipment 120 the periodic transmission of the channel qualityreports. Additionally, the processing circuit 1010 may further beconfigured to send, to the radio network node 110, a second channelquality report of the at least one channel quality report, wherein thesecond channel quality report is received in the second subframe on anuplink shared channel.

The processing circuit 1010 may further be configured to send, to theradio network node 110, a capability message for indicating the userequipment's 120 capability relating to transmission of the at least onechannel quality report.

The user equipment 120 further comprises a receiver 1020, which may beconfigured to receive information, such as the first message, the secondmessage, the third message and/or the like as described herein. Theconfiguration of the receiver may be controlled by the processingcircuit 1010.

The user equipment 120 further comprises a transmitter 1030, which maybe configured to transmit information, such as the at least one channelquality report, the first channel quality report, the second channelquality report and/or the like as described herein. The configuration ofthe transmitter may be controlled by the processing circuit 1010.

The user equipment 120 further comprises a memory 1040 for storingsoftware to be executed by, for example, the processing circuit. Thesoftware may comprise instructions to enable the processing circuit toperform the method in the user equipment 120 as described above inconjunction with FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 9.

Moreover, the memory 1040 may be used for storing information, such asthe first message, the second message, the third message, the channelquality reports and/or the like as described herein.

The memory 1040 may be a hard disk, a magnetic storage medium, aportable computer diskette or disc, flash memory, random access memory(RAM) or the like. Furthermore, the memory may be an internal registermemory of a processor.

Even though embodiments of the various aspects have been described, manydifferent alterations, modifications and the like thereof will becomeapparent for those skilled in the art. The described embodiments aretherefore not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

1.-32. (canceled)
 33. A method in a radio network node, wherein themethod comprises: sending, to a user equipment, a first messagecomprising information about a resource for use by the user equipmentwhen transmitting channel quality reports, the resource is for periodictransmission of the channel quality reports on a physical uplink controlchannel (PUCCH); sending, to the user equipment, a second message foractivation, in the user equipment, the periodic transmission of thechannel quality reports on the PUCCH using the resource identified inthe first message; receiving, from the user equipment, at least a firstchannel quality report and a second channel quality report, wherein thefirst channel quality report and the second channel quality report arereceived on the PUCCH resource; detecting existence of scheduled uplinktransmission in a subframe; based on the detected existence of scheduleduplink transmission in a subframe, sending, to the user equipment, athird message for deactivating, in the user equipment, the periodictransmission of the channel quality reports on the PUCCH; and aftersending the third message for deactivation in the user equipment theperiodic transmission of the channel quality reports on the PUCCH,receiving, from the user equipment, a third channel quality report_onthe physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).
 34. The method according toclaim 33, wherein the first or the second message comprises a firstindication specifying a time period during which the periodictransmission is activated.
 35. The method according to claim 33, whereinthe second message comprises a second indication for the activation ofthe periodic transmission of the channel quality reports, wherein: thesecond message comprises downlink control information, which comprisesthe second indication.
 36. The method according to claim 33, wherein thesecond message comprises a second indication for the activation of theperiodic transmission of the channel quality reports, wherein: thesecond message comprises a medium access control element, MAC CE, whichcomprises the second indication.
 37. The method according to claim 33,further comprising: receiving, from the user equipment, a capabilitymessage for indicating the user equipment's capability relating toperiodic or a-periodic transmission of the channel quality reports. 38.A radio network node comprising: memory storing instructions; and aprocessing circuit operable to execute the instructions to cause theradio network node to: send, to a user equipment, a first messagecomprising information about a resource for use by the user equipmentwhen transmitting channel quality reports, the first message is forperiodic transmission of the channel quality reports on a physicaluplink control channel, PUCCH; send, to the user equipment, a secondmessage for activation, in the user equipment, the periodic transmissionof the channel quality reports by the user equipment on the PUCCH usingthe resource identified in the first message; receive at least a firstchannel quality report and a second channel quality report from the userequipment, wherein the first channel quality report and the secondchannel quality report are received on the PUCCH resource informed inthe first message; detect existence of scheduled uplink transmission ina subframe; based on the detected existence of scheduled uplinktransmission in a subframe, send a third message for deactivating, inthe user equipment, the periodic transmission of the channel qualityreports by the user equipment on the PUCCH; and after sending the thirdmessage for deactivation in the user equipment the periodic transmissionof the channel quality reports on the PUCCH, receiving, from the userequipment, a third channel quality report on the physical uplink sharedchannel (PUSCH).
 39. The radio network node according to claim 38,wherein the second message comprises a second indication for initiatingthe activation of the periodic transmission of the channel qualityreports, wherein: the second message comprises downlink controlinformation, which comprises the first indication.
 40. The radio networknode according to claim 39, wherein wherein the first or the secondmessage comprises a first indication specifying a time period duringwhich the periodic transmission is activated.
 41. The radio network nodeaccording to claim 38, wherein the second message comprises a secondindication for initiating the activation of the periodic transmission ofthe channel quality reports, wherein: the second message comprises amedium access control element, MAC CE, which comprises the secondindication.
 42. A method in a user equipment for transmission of channelquality reports from the user equipment to a radio network node, whereinthe method comprises: receiving, from the radio network node, a firstmessage comprising information about a resource for use by the userequipment when transmitting the channel quality reports, the resource isfor periodic transmission of the channel quality reports by the userequipment on a physical uplink control channel, PUCCH; receiving, fromthe radio network node, a second message for activation, in the userequipment, of the periodic transmission of the channel quality reportson the PUCCH using the resource identified in the first message;sending, to the radio network node, a first channel quality report and asecond channel quality report on the PUCCH resource indicated in thefirst message; based on a scheduled uplink transmission in a subframe,receiving, from the radio network node, a third message fordeactivating, in the user equipment, the periodic transmission of thechannel quality reports on the PUCCH; and after receiving the thirdmessage for deactivation in the user equipment the periodic transmissionof the channel quality reports on the PUCCH, transmitting, to thenetwork node, a third channel quality report on the physical uplinkshared channel (PUSCH) along with the scheduled uplink transmission inthe subframe.
 43. The method according to claim 42, wherein the first orthe second message comprises a first indication specifying a time periodduring which the periodic transmission is activated.
 44. The methodaccording to claim 42, wherein the second message comprises a secondindication for initiating the activation of the periodic transmission ofthe channel quality reports, wherein: the second message comprisesdownlink control information, which comprises the second indication. 45.The method according to claim 42, wherein the second message comprises asecond indication for initiating the activation of the periodictransmission of the channel quality reports, wherein: the second messagecomprises a medium access control element, MAC CE, which comprises thefirst indication.
 46. The method according to claim 42, furthercomprising: sending, to the radio network node, a capability message forindicating the user equipment's capability relating to periodic ora-periodic transmission of the channel quality reports.
 47. A userequipment configured to transmit channel quality reports from the userequipment to a radio network node, wherein the user equipment comprises:memory storing instructions; and a processing circuit operable toexecute the instructions to cause the user equipment to: receive, fromthe radio network node, a first message comprising information about aresource for use by the user equipment when transmitting the channelquality reports, the resource is for periodic transmission of thechannel quality reports by the user equipment on a physical uplinkcontrol channel, PUCCH; receive, from the radio network node, a secondmessage for initiating activation, in the user equipment, the periodictransmission of the channel quality reports on the PUCCH using theresource identified in the first message; send, to the radio networknode, a first channel quality report and a second channel quality reporton PUCCH resource received in the first message; based on a scheduleduplink transmission in a subframe, receive, from the radio network node,a third message for deactivating, in the user equipment, the periodictransmission of the channel quality reports on the PUCCH; and afterreceiving the third message for deactivation in the user equipment theperiodic transmission of the channel quality reports on the PUCCH,transmitting, to the network node, a third channel quality report on thephysical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) along with the scheduled uplinktransmission in the subframe
 48. The user equipment according to claim47, wherein the first or the second message comprises a first indicationspecifying a time period during which the periodic transmission isactivated.
 49. The user equipment according to claim 47, wherein thesecond message comprises a second indication for initiating theactivation of the periodic transmission of the channel quality reports,wherein: the second message comprises downlink control information,which comprises the second indication.
 50. The user equipment accordingto claim 47, wherein the second message comprises a second indicationfor initiating the activation of the periodic transmission of thechannel quality reports, wherein: the second message comprises a mediumaccess control element, MAC CE, which comprises the first indication.